The Detroit Tigers are expected to have a very important offseason this year. Much of the talk involving the team’s potential moves this winter surrounds two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. The dominating pitcher’s future in Detroit has been discussed and debated endlessly for weeks now.
Nevertheless, the Tigers are also being linked with another possible major trade that would shake up the team’s roster. ESPN recently published an article naming baseball’s biggest trade candidates. In the piece, Boston Red Sox star Jarren Duran was selected among the most high-profile players that could be moved in the coming weeks.
Duran is only a year removed from an impressively stellar 2024 season. During this campaign, the outfielder posted an 8.7 WAR and became an MVP candidate. Boston, however, currently has a logjam of young outfielders. They could, in turn, trade the star to help address other needs.
ESPN went on to claim that the Red Sox can be patient in their decision because they do not necessarily have to trade Duran. The outfielder is still under team control through 2028. The news outlet predicted the odds of Duran being dealt at 50%, which is a higher figure than most other players on the list. The Tigers were also specifically picked as a top destination for the star.
Jarren Duran Would Give Detroit Tigers More Power, Athleticism in Outfield
GettyJarren Duran could be the odd man out in a packed Red Sox outfield.
This is not the first time that the Tigers have been linked with Duran. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi also anticipated that Detroit would target the outfielder in early November. “I’m gonna make a prediction here,” Morosi stated during an interview on the network.
“Jarren Duran, I think, would be a great fit with the Detroit Tigers. They need a little bit more outfield power. Duran is so athletic…Do not be surprised if Jarren Duran is wearing the Old English D by Opening Day.”
To Morosi’s point, the Tigers could certainly use a player like Duran in their outfield. Outside of Riley Greene, Detroit does not currently have someone with the combination of power at the plate and stellar athleticism quite like the Red Sox star. If acquired, Duran could fit in all three outfield positions. However, potentially taking over center field for Parker Meadows may be the most likely outcome.
Tigers Have Deep Prospect Pool to Make a Major Move
Along with the Tigers, several other teams will undoubtedly be interested in acquiring Duran. Nevertheless, Detroit may have the upper hand in negotiations due to its highly ranked prospect pool. MLB Pipeline previously ranked the Tigers atop its farm system rankings ahead of the 2025 campaign. Although they have since slid down to number six, the move was mostly due to the graduation of top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe.
With a healthy list of top talent in the minors, Detroit has the power to make Boston a solid offer for Duran. The Red Sox, on the other hand, would almost certainly at least ask the Tigers about Skubal. It remains to be seen, however, if Detroit would even entertain the proposal. The AL Central team would likely prefer to exclude the Cy Young winner in any deal involving Duran.
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